Abu Ghraib Detainees Secure $42 Million Verdict Against US Contractor

A Virginia jury holds CACI liable for torture, marking the first time private contractors are found accountable for abuses at the infamous prison.

Three former detainees of Abu Ghraib prison have been awarded $42 million in damages by a U.S. jury, holding CACI International responsible for their mistreatment.
The plaintiffs, including a journalist, a principal, and a fruit vendor, described enduring severe abuses such as beatings, electrocutions, and sexual assault.
The verdict comes after a protracted legal battle spanning 16 years, utilizing the Alien Tort Statute to pursue accountability for international law violations.
CACI plans to appeal, maintaining that its employees were not directly involved in the abuses and attributing responsibility to the U.S. military.
This landmark case underscores the role of private contractors in the Abu Ghraib scandal and emphasizes accountability for human rights violations.